Commenting on the Chancellor's announcement of a support package to combat the cost-of-living crisis funded through a windfall tax on energy companies today (Thursday 26 May), Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: "I'm glad that after months of wavering, the Chancellor is finally acting to help people with spiralling bills. It's been four and a half months since Labour first called for a windfall tax on those oil and gas companies making such huge profits. It's an obvious solution and so it's right the Government has seen sense and the inevitable screeching U-turn has finally arrived.

"And scrapping the 'Buy Now, Pay Later' energy plan is the right thing to do too, another key Labour demand. But while they've been dithering and delaying, oil and gas companies have made a whopping £4.7 billion in profit. And we've all been paying sky-high bills. So now it's time for the Government to listen to local people who still desperately need help. Like the 16,000 households right across the West of England who use domestic heating oil and who continue to be ignored even with the latest news of this government pay out. We have waited long enough for the Government to intervene on a cost-of-living crisis designed, fashioned and made in Downing street. I'm glad they've finally taken action, even if they had to be dragged kicking and screaming".

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced what he called a "temporary, targeted energy profits levy" of 25% on the energy companies - but with a 90% tax relief for firms that invest profits back into the economy. This will raise £5billion, says the chancellor, and will be use to fund a £650 one-off payment for families on means-tested benefits, and an extra £200 for all energy bill payers that will not have to be repaid. In addition pensioners who get the winter fuel payment will get a further £300 and those on disability allowance will get £150.